Her name was Rose

Chapter 13

            Lauren Pov

            The loud slam was the first indication that he was mad. The silence was the next. Turning from her book Lauren stretched him limbs, listening to the familiar crack of her back. Arching in the envy's of a cat. From the lazy chair across the room Jay frowned towards the door his eyebrows knotting.

"Somebody's pissed." He statement was neutral with a hint of anger. Lauren watched as Jay played with his finger's his eyes never leaving the door.

"I'm sure everything's going to be fine," Lauren said trying to calm him down. The sad thing was that Jay and Seth used to be close. As in really close. Yet like so many other aspects of life Lauren was forced to watch their friendship disintegrate into nothing but acquaintances.

"You always say that." Shrugging Lauren leaned forward her arms wresting upon her knees.

"I'm always right." The tinniest tugs of a smile began to appear in the corner of his lips, but his fingers still fiddled.

"Maybe we should go check it out."  He was already standing though when she opened her mouth to protest, to say that maybe they should let them yell it out. It seemed lately that it was the only thing Jocelyn and Seth specialized in. However before Jay even made one move forward the double doors swung open and Jocelyn walked in, fuming. Her eyes shot to Lauren as she came to a halt, face flushed.

"I'm leaving."

"You can't," Lauren said quietly watching as first pain and then irritation flashed over the girl's gorgeous features.

"This is unbelievable, you people can't make me do anything. I have a family, I have friends."

"Come on Joce, we're your friends too." It was the first time in what felt like years that Jay's voice seemed small, fragile. Causing Lauren to become overcome with the urge to protect him, to protect everyone. A trait she had always carried always prided her in. Even if it meant protecting people from each other, themselves, and herself. At his words Jocelyn scoffed crossing him arms along her chest.

"Just because you've known me for almost two and a half weeks-"

"It's more like two." Jocelyn visibly stiffened at the sound of Seth's voice, choosing to ignore him.

"Doesn't qualify you as friends."

"Then what does? Quite frankly the last time I checked putting your life on the line for someone comes pretty damn close." Seth's voice was hard, cold, and Lauren felt herself shrink back. Not before noticing however that Jocelyn's eyes looked slightly guilty.

"Don't guilt me into staying."

"I'm not guilting you into anything. You're staying, end of story." Jocelyn slowly turned to glare at him her posture straightening and she jutted her chin out.

"No. I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"Just because you're older doesn't mean you can tell me what to do."

"No but because I'm bigger and you're a shrimp means that I can stop you from leaving." Lauren's usually calm long stretching patience was wearing to the thin. Before she could say anything though a new voice spoke up.

"Enough." The voice was soft but firm as it carried over all of their heads. Holding such an authority that Lauren only dreamt about. A voice that didn't question you listening to them, it just expected you would. A voice that didn't ask for respect, but had earned it.

            As the red head made her way into the room Lauren watched the girl's eyes sweep the scene, before landing on Jocelyn. Looks of sympathy and surprise crossed her face. Ending in her features warming with a smile. Striding over she embraced the girl in a soft hug.

"Hey there darling I'm Becky. How you feel about going to a party tonight?"

            Becky Pov

            She knew that convincing Seth would be another matter entirely. Although, as she threaded the silver hoops through her earlobes the thoughts didn't faze her. Even when she heard her door open quietly and shut with almost no noise.

"Hey there, can you pass me the necklace on the bed?" He did so with out saying anything, walking over to her vanity and placing it beside her blush. "Thanks," she said stringing it around her neck, the sliver cross hanging just below her collarbones. Snatching up her mascara she started applying it, knowing fully well that Seth wasn't about to broach conversation. He never liked starting them, unless of course they were arguments. Even then though she knew he only initiated them because he was scared. Scared of loosing that person, and he didn't know how to show he cared any other way then getting mad. "She needs this bud." She said softly sneaking a peak at him through the mirror. He looked worn, as if he hadn't seen a goodnights sleep in months.... years maybe. Feeling her heart tug in sympathy she turned to face him.

            Becky had never treated him like an older brother, always a younger one. Even though he hated it, she never changed the way she called him bud. Secretly liking that it irritated him so much, or so he put off. She knew he kind of liked it. Allowing him the chance to be looked out for, not having to act the oldest. And if that was all she could ever do to help him she would.

"It's risky."

"Life's risky." She said grabbing her black shirt and turning her back on him to strip off her tank. "She's a big girl, I know she can handle herself." Becky paused as she slipped into the black one. "And I know you know that too." Seth only grunted in response though she knew it was only because he knew there was no disagreement.

"I'm still not liking it." He concluded finally and Becky had to bite back her smile.

"No I don't expect you to."

"I'm coming."

"I'm expecting you to." Starting to make her way towards the door she felt his fingers gently graze her arm, telling her to look at him. Peering over her shoulder she saw the slight look of relief in his eyes. Reminding her deep down that he still needed her. He didn't need to pretend he was all-tough in front of her. Never.

"I missed you Becks." She grinned pulling him into a tight hug.

"Like wise."

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Hey guys! So BECKY'S HERE!!!!! Really hope you love her just as much as I do :) vote, fan, read, and please share! Thanks! Next upload hopefully sOoOoOoOoOoOon :D